sb. Also 7–8 embarass, embarrass. [a. F. embarras obstacle, embarrassment; cf. It. imbarrazzo, Sp. embarazo, Pg. embaraço, related to F. embarrer, f. en- (see EN-) + barre BAR.]
1. = EMBARRASSMENT, in various senses. Obs. exc. as Fr. (aṅbara); now chiefly in phrase embarras de richesse ‘embarrassment of riches,’ the state of having more wealth than one knows what to do with; usually fig.
1664. Pepys, Diary (1879), III. 13. The greatest embarras that I have … how to behave myself to Sir H. Bennet.
1677. Temple, Let. Sir J. Williamson, Wks. 1731, II. 434. How great an Embarass Count Kinski is like to bring upon you there.
1710. Berkeley, Princ. Hum. Knowl., § 25. Clear the First Principles of Knowledge from the embarras and delusion of words.
1756. Foote, Eng. fr. Paris, II. Aid me to escape this embarras.
1778. Apthorp, Preval. Chr., 220. I think it impossible to clear up Cicero’s embarras.
1864. Burton, Scot Abr., II. ii. 157. He received us very civilly, though with some embarras.
1866. Livingstone, Jrnl. (1873), I. Introd. 8. He has an embarras de richesses.
2. U.S. ? Pronounced (embæ·răs). See quot.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Embarras. An American term for places where the navigation of rivers or creeks is rendered difficult by the accumulation of driftwood, trees, &c.
